Proposed amendments to the Interior Designers Act in Nova Scotia will modify the scope of practice of interior designers such that their role will be recognized under Building Code Regulations. Along with changes to the Building Code Regulations, the amendment to the Act will allow interior designers to work on projects that use the Building Code Process.

Regulation has been passed in Ontario allowing optometrists to prescribe medication for conditions ranging from eye infections to glaucoma. The Health Minister noted that the change will help streamline the health system for patients who will no longer have to go back and forth between their optometrist and family doctor or emergency room for prescriptions.

Health Workforce Australia is considering the role of physicians assistants in the healthcare system. Supporters feel that the new profession will improve service delivery, but opponents fear the new profession would take positions away from young doctors and limit nursing opportunities. Health Workforce Australia will report back to the health ministers later this year.

A hair-braider in Utah has filed suit against the state's cosmetology law, claiming the requirement that anyone working with hair should hold a cosmetology license, is unconstitutional. The law requires that approximately 2,000 hours of coursework are completed before a license is granted, which could cost between $9,000 - $19,000. Alleging that the mandatory coursework does not include content on hairbraiding, the suit also points to more than ten states, including Mississippi, California and Arizona, which exempt hairbraiders from their cosmetology laws.

Illinois Senate Bill 1762, mandating the automatic revocation of a health worker's license convicted of certain sexual offences, has been approved by a 59-0 vote. The bill would effect those "(1) convicted of committing a sexual criminal act that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act against a patient in the course of patient care or treatment, (2) has been convicted of a criminal battery against any patient, (3) a forcible felony, or (4) required as part of a criminal sentence to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act, then the license of the health care worker shall by operation of law be permanently revoked without a hearing." The bill also "requires that within 15 business days after receiving notice from the State's Attorney of the filing of criminal charges against the health care worker, the Secretary shall issue an administrative order that the health care worker may only practice with a chaperone during all patient encounters pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Adds provisions concerning the confidentiality of certain information and documents."

A UK government report, The Government's response to the recommendations in front line care: the report of the Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England, has indicated the 150,000 healthcare assistants working in the country will not be subject to mandatory regulation. The report states "national statutory regulation must be proportionate and targeted to any risks posed but should not be the first resort in dealing with risks arising from the activities of healthcare workers.. The Government does not believe that the extension of statutory regulation to all workers in the health sector across the UK and the social care sector would be a proportionate response and that the emphasis should be on employers of unregulated workers to take responsibility for the quality of services provided." Separately, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the regulatory body for nurses, will next month consider whether its scope should be expanded to include lower-skilled workers. A spokesman said "The lack of regulation of healthcare support workers is an area of obvious concern for the NMC’s governing Council. They will be debating this issue, along with other issues in the government's response to the Commission on nursing and midwifery, at their next full meeting on 26 May."

Legislation introduced in Wisconsin could see the return of the state's Small Business Regulatory Review Board, which could play a central role in the development of new regulations. Existing legislation provides the board with the power to review, suggest revisions, and analyze the effects on small businesses, of any proposed regulation with a “significant economic impact on small business” (with 25 or fewer employees or annual sales of less than $5 million). The Board last met in November 2008 when it considered changes to asbestos training, invasive species, storage of fertilizer and pesticide, and the transportation of hazardous waste.

The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing and the Medical Examining Board has revealed that eight licensees are under investigation for providing excuse notes for protesters at the state's capitol in February. The department has confirmed that all eight are licensed physicians, but has refused to name those under investigation. Once the investigations are complete, a decision will be made about whether any disciplinary action is warranted. Potential sanctions include a formal reprimand, restrictions on licenses, suspension or revocation.

I would like to draw your attention to some important initiatives involving CLEAR. During January’s Midyear Business Meeting, CLEAR’s committees met to plan the annual conference program and finalized new resources such as the Toolkit for Regulators. On March 24th, CLEAR offered a one-day seminar entitled Governance Issues in Professional Regulation in Toronto, Ontario. The event featured content on maintaining public confidence through good governance, strategic versus tactical issues, optimizing the board/staff relationship, and whether reliance on volunteer boards and councils is the optimal arrangement. With such a diverse and challenging program, it is little wonder the event sold out and attracted attendance from across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. CLEAR plans a further seminar in Toronto next year and is also keen to explore offering similar events in additional locations. If you are interested in such an event in your jurisdiction, please contact Adam Parfitt, CLEAR’s Executive Director at [email protected] or (859) 402-8418 to explore the next steps.

A bill approved in both the Delaware House and Senate would allow state regulators to perform complaint-driven inspections of medical facilities that perform invasive procedures requiring anesthesia. The bill would apply to abortion clinics, plastic surgery and liposuction facilities, dentists, and podiatrists. Under current law, state health inspectors would need a court-ordered warrant to enter such facilities.